India’s aviation regulator has mandated immediate inspections for all 27 Boeing 787s in domestic fleets following Tuesday’s fatal Air India Express crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a 48-hour deadline to examine Trent 1000 engines and flap mechanisms after preliminary crash data revealed potential mechanical failures.
Black Box Points to Dual System Failure
Investigators recovered the flight data recorder showing that the left engine power loss at 1,200 feet, flap asymmetry during climbout, multiple cockpit warnings before impact
Air India has temporarily withdrawn 15 Dreamliners from service, canceling 22 international flights. Vistara and other operators began emergency checks Wednesday morning.
This marks the third major 787 incident in 2024, reigniting concerns about Trent 1000 engine reliability, flight control software glitches and composite fuselage stress fractures
FAA representatives are en route to Mumbai to assist the probe, while Boeing shares dropped 4% in pre-market trading.
Passengers have meanwhile, reported chaotic scenes at Delhi and Mumbai airports as carriers scramble to rearrange schedules. With summer travel peaking, the grounding could cost Indian airlines over $15 million daily until inspections conclude.
